Amnesty International’s vision is of a world in which every person enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards.

In pursuit of this vision, Amnesty International’s mission is to undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination, within the context of its work to promote all human rights.
Amnesty International is independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion. It does not support or oppose any government or political system, nor does it support or oppose the views of the victims whose rights it seeks to protect. It is concerned solely with the impartial protection of human rights.

Amnesty International has a varied network of members and supporters around the world. At the latest count, there were more than 2.2 million members, supporters and subscribers in over 150 countries and territories in every region of the world. Although they come from many different backgrounds and have widely different political and religious beliefs, they are united by a determination to work for a world where everyone enjoys human rights.

Amnesty International is a democratic, self-governing movement. Major policy decisions are taken by an International Council made up of representatives from all national sections.

Amnesty International’s national sections and local volunteer groups are primarily responsible for funding the movement. No funds are sought or accepted from governments for Amnesty International’s work investigating and campaigning against human rights violations.

Amnesty International’s history

On 28 May 1961, Peter Benenson, a British lawyer wrote an appeal, The Forgotten Prisoners that was published in several internationally-read newspapers. This appeal resulted in over 1,000 offers of support for the idea of an international campaign to protect human rights.

This appeal arose from his reading an article in a British newspaper about two Portuguese students who were thrown into jail because of the simple gesture of raising their glasses in a toast to freedom.

This appeal resulted in over 1,000 offers of support for the idea of an international campaign to protect human rights. The emphasis was on the international protection of human rights: Amnesty International members were to act on cases worldwide and not become involved in cases in their own countries. After correspondence with Peter Benenson lasting nearly a year the Irish Section of the organisation was officially formed in 1962. Seán MacBride was the first chairperson of the Irish Section.

Since then the Irish Section has grown to a membership base of 20,000. This is complimented by the growth in the number of local groups to 40, and Student and Youth groups to 150. The Irish Section of Amnesty International has made a significant contribution to the international organisation since its inception.
Seán MacBride was also chair of the International Executive Committee for 15 years. Kevin White was one of the earlier international treasurers. Over the years other members of the Irish Executive Committee have undertaken international missions and positions. Most recently, Colm Ó Cuanacháin, was chair of the IEC for two years, until early 2003.

Amnesty International Irish Section is part of a greater organisation that has continued to grow since 1961. Within 12 months, the new organisation had organised national bodies in seven countries. At the latest count, there were more than 2.2 million members, supporters and subscribers in over 150 countries and territories all over the world. While the organisation does not claim sole responsibility for improvements in individual cases, members’ actions are very often effective – 40 per cent of Amnesty’s urgent appeals have resulted in improvements. The Irish Section’s office, based in Dublin, co-ordinates the Irish members’ work in campaigning, lobbying and fundraising.

Since the foundation of Amnesty International, core work of the organisation has continued to develop. In 1961 Peter Benenson’s concern was for “Prisoners of Conscience”. Today this has expanded to cover many more issues. Amnesty’s mission is based on the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and should be understood as core to Amnesty International’s specific purpose. Amnesty International members around the world work on behalf of people whose rights as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are threatened.

Amnesty International is effective because of its impartiality and accuracy and has, as a consequence, established a reputation as a credible source of information. This credibility is tied to its independence from all governments, political or religious factions and economic interests. To help eliminate suspicion of political motivation, Amnesty International neither seeks nor accepts any money from government to fund its campaigning work.

Find out more about Amnesty International in your county.